(also known as Lushootseed)
By Jane Valencia
In the January and February issues, David Turnipseed, a language instructor with the Puyallup Tribal Language Program, taught us about Twulshootseed, the language spoken by the indigenous people of Puget Sound. He invited us to support its revitalization by learning some of it ourselves.
Today, we embark on this journey together by way of Puyallup Tribal Language Program resources. This month, let’s learn how to say:
| haʔł sləx̌il. | Good day. |
Do you have your phone handy? The QR code below will take you to an audio of greetings and departures. haʔł sləx̌il, Good day, is the first one!
You can also find the audio by going to www.puyalluptriballanguage.org/basics/greetingdepartures.php.
For help with the sounds of the Twulshootseed alphabet, especially the characters ʔ, ł, and x̌, go to: www.puyalluptriballanguage.org/basics/alphabet.php
Challenge: This month, let’s say haʔł sləx̌il to at least three people. The more, the merrier! When they express puzzlement (“What did you say?”), explain, “haʔł sləx̌il is ‘Good day’ in Lushootseed, the language spoken by the tribes of Puget Sound.”
Be sure to refer them to the Puyallup Tribal Language Program website if they wish to say “haʔł sləx̌il” too!
Maybe there will come a point where someone says, “haʔł sləx̌il” back to you!
